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Phys.org / Olives have been essential to life in Italy for at least 6,000 years—far longer than we thought

How far back does the rich history of Italian olives and oil stretch? My new research, published in the American Journal of Archaeology, synthesizing and reevaluating existing archaeological evidence, suggests olive trees ...

Feb 4, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / AI model OpenScholar synthesizes scientific research and cites sources as accurately as human experts

Keeping up with the latest research is vital for scientists, but given that millions of scientific papers are published every year, that can prove difficult. Artificial intelligence systems show promise for quickly synthesizing ...

Feb 4, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / Quick test can curb antimicrobial resistance, identifying bacteria and antibiotic susceptibility in under 40 minutes

McGill researchers have developed a diagnostic system capable of identifying bacteria—and determining which antibiotics can stop them—in just 36 minutes, a major advance in the global effort to curb antimicrobial resistance ...

Feb 4, 2026 in Nanotechnology
Medical Xpress / Cap-like OLED wearable could prevent hair loss, replacing bulky helmet devices

A new solution that could overcome the limitations of conventional hair-loss treatments is emerging. Heavy and rigid helmet-type phototherapy devices may soon become a thing of the past. A joint research team has developed ...

Feb 4, 2026 in Biomedical technology
Tech Xplore / New design tool 3D-prints woven metamaterials that stretch and fail predictably

Metamaterials—materials whose properties are primarily dictated by their internal microstructure, and not their chemical makeup—have been redefining the engineering materials space for the last decade. To date, however, ...

Feb 4, 2026 in Engineering
Phys.org / From cryogenic to red-hot: Optical temperature sensing from 77 K to 873 K

An international collaboration involving researchers from the University of Innsbruck has developed a novel luminescent material that enables particularly robust and precise optical temperature sensing across an exceptionally ...

Feb 4, 2026 in Physics
Phys.org / Invisible actors in groundwater mapped for first time, revealing role in freshwater reservoir

Groundwater is considered the largest reservoir of liquid freshwater on Earth and a habitat for complex microbial communities that drive essential biogeochemical cycles. Until now, the role of viruses that infect microorganisms ...

Feb 4, 2026 in Biology
Tech Xplore / 'Discovery learning' AI tool predicts battery cycle life with just a few days' data

An agentic AI tool for battery researchers harnesses data from previous battery designs to predict the cycle life of new battery concepts. With information from just 50 cycles, the tool—developed at University of Michigan ...

Feb 4, 2026 in Energy & Green Tech
Phys.org / Platinum nanostructure sensor can differentiate mirror-image volatile scent compounds

Terpenes are volatile organic compounds that are responsible for, among other things, the typical scents of plants, resins or citrus fruits. These compounds occur naturally in the environment and influence chemical processes ...

Feb 4, 2026 in Chemistry
Medical Xpress / High-dose antioxidants linked to offspring birth defects

Antioxidants have been marketed as miracle supplements, touted for preventing chronic diseases and cancers; treating COPD and dementia; and slowing aging.

Feb 4, 2026 in Obstetrics & gynaecology
Phys.org / Where are Europe's oldest people living? What geography tells us about a fragmenting continent

For over a century and a half, life expectancy has steadily increased in the wealthiest countries. Spectacular climbs in longevity have been noted in the 20th century, correlating with the slump in infectious illnesses and ...

Feb 4, 2026 in Other Sciences
Phys.org / How lipid nanoparticles carrying vaccines release their cargo

A study from FAU has shown that lipid nanoparticles restructure their membrane significantly after being absorbed into a cell and ending up in an acidic environment. Vaccines and other medicines are often packed in little ...

Feb 4, 2026 in Nanotechnology